Joshua 15 teaches children that God keeps every promise He makes, even when the land He gives is big and full of challenges. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, with time for questions and one simple activity.
Big Idea
God always keeps His promises, and He gives His people the land He said He would give them. We can trust Him to do what He says.
Memory Verse
Joshua 15:13
He gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh a portion among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even Kiriath Arba, named after the father of Anak (also called Hebron).
(WEB)
Hold your arms out wide like a map, then sweep one hand slowly across the other as you say the words together. This shows the land God gave His people, and it helps children picture God giving them a whole place to live.
The Story: Joshua 15 for Kids
A long time ago, God’s people, the Israelites, were getting ready to live in the land God had promised them. Joshua was their leader, and he helped divide the land into pieces called portions. Each family group got its own part, and the tribe of Judah was given a very large section in the south.
The borders of Judah were marked carefully, with rivers, valleys, mountains, and the sea all used as edges. The Bible gives the names of many towns and villages inside that land. Some of those places were already filled with people, and God’s people would have to work hard to live there.
One man named Caleb had walked with God for many years. Long before, Caleb had trusted God when others were afraid, and God promised him a special place in the land. Now Caleb was given the hill city of Hebron, a place full of strong and tall people. Caleb did not panic. He said, “God promised me this land, so I will go and take it with God’s help.”
Caleb made a promise of his own. He said that whoever captured the city of Debir would marry his daughter, Achsah. A young man named Othniel took the city, and Caleb kept his word. Achsah, then, asked her father for something important. She said, “Give me springs of water, because the land is dry.” Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs she asked for.
The chapter ends with a long list of towns and villages that belonged to Judah. It shows that God’s gifts were real, specific, and complete. The people could look at that list and know that God had kept His word to them.
Read It Together
Joshua 15:16-17
16 Caleb said, “He who strikes Kiriath Sepher, and takes it, to him I will give Achsah my daughter as wife.” 17 Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter as wife.
(WEB)
Point out how Caleb kept his promise to give his daughter to the man who took Debir. Ask the children what it means to keep your word, even when it costs you something.
Joshua 15:18-19
18 When she came, she had him ask her father for a field. She got off her donkey, and Caleb said, “What do you want?” 19 She said, “Give me a blessing. Because you have set me in the land of the South, give me also springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.
(WEB)
Show the children that Achsah asked her father for something she needed, and he gave it to her. Explain that God also hears our requests and gives generously to His children.
Joshua 15:13-14
13 He gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh a portion among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even Kiriath Arba, named after the father of Anak (also called Hebron). 14 Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.
(WEB)
Point out that Caleb was trusting God when he faced giants in the land. Help children see that God’s faithfulness to Caleb was the reason he could be brave.
Talk About It
- What did Caleb do when he was given a hard place to live, and why do you think he was brave?
- Why do you think Achsah asked her father for water, and what did she know about her need?
- What is one promise God has made in the Bible that you can trust?
- How can you show someone that you keep your word, like Caleb did?
- When you feel scared about something new, what can you remember about God’s faithfulness?
Activity Ideas
Draw Your Own Promised Land Map
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a simple map with a river, a mountain, and a city, then label one place with the name of someone who trusted God. Let them explain their map to you, reminding them that God gave the land to His people in specific places.
Springs of Water Relay
You will need two empty cups, a bowl of water, and a open space to run. Children race to carry water from the bowl to a second container and back without spilling, one at a time. Afterward, talk about how Achsah asked for water and how God gives us what we really need.
Promise Keeper Jar
You will need a clean jar, paper slips, and a pen. Each week, have children write one promise they can keep at home, like helping with dishes, and place it in the jar. At the end of the week, read the promises together and thank God for helping them keep their word, just as Caleb did.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Joshua 15 is a record of God dividing the land among His people and keeping the promises He made to them through Abraham and Moses. Caleb’s faithfulness shows that trust in God leads to courage, even when the task looks impossible. The long lists remind us that God pays attention to the details of His people’s lives.
When teaching children, avoid making the chapter about a formula for getting what we want from God. Achsah’s request was answered, but the lesson is that God is faithful, not that He will always give us exactly what we ask for. Keep the focus on God’s character and His promises.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank You for keeping every promise You make to us. Help us be brave like Caleb when things seem hard, and help us keep our word the way Achsah trusted her father. Thank You that You always hear us and give us what we need. Amen.
